newspaper has defended his findings -- despite discrepancies in some figures.

Readers were left confused when certain figures on the popularity of political leaders in the front page article of last Friday's edition failed to add up.

In one sentence the report said that 55 percent of voters approved of the way Premier Pamela Gordon was doing her job. Another sample showed that 57.1 percent gave the Premier the thumbs up.

Some figures also appeared to be rounded up, with Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith getting an 80 percent approval rating from one sample which dipped to 77.5 percent in another sample.

And while 94 percent of blacks were impressed with Ms Smith, an impossible 28.3 percent then said they disapproved of her.

But last night Bermuda College lecturer Walton Brown pointed out that different samples were asked different questions.

The overall group was made up of 356 adults with the sample roughly mirroring the demographic make-up of the Island's population according to age, sex and race.

But nearly one third of that group - 106 of those selected -- are non-registered voters who were excluded from answering some questions.

And when those questioned were asked to state their racial group, a further 18 interviewees declined to take part.

Last night Mr. Brown explained that it was important to break up the sample to look at particular voting trends.

Mr. Brown also explained how the Premier had a favourable opinion rating of 66 percent while only 57.1 percent said they approved of the way she handled her job.

"Those are two very different questions,'' Mr. Brown said.

The poll's findings contrasted strongly with a similar survey conducted on behalf of The Royal Gazette . According to this paper's poll if an election were held today the UBP would pick up a whopping 38 percent of the vote while the PLP would gain just 27 percent with a further 27 percent undecided or undeclared.

Those figures were almost reversed in The Sun's poll, with the PLP gaining 42 percent and the Government coming in a poor second place with 35 percent.

Last night Deputy Premier Jerome Dill gave his own opinion on the conflicting polls.

"I think that when you see these gyrations from week to week you get a little bit apprehensive about the veracity of these polls,'' he said, referring to the Sun's recent run of polls.

"I think you have to wonder just what's going on and how scientific the methodology is that is being used. I don't think that the Bermudian electorate is as fickle as to vote for one thing one week and then go for something diametrically opposed to it the next week.'' NEWSPAPER NJ